Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[Irish villain]

Would Milner leave City? If we signed him I'd be delighted. A third spell at villa.

[frank black]

I hope we sign Foster, because he's a good long term investment. However we need to show a lot this summer.

No such thing as a long term investment at Villa I'm afraid.

[olaftab]

For once a positive s transfer story in the Mirror for us. Let's hope there is some truth in it.

[frank black]

Milner left for more cash and champions league football. He's not about to swop that for less money and mid table obscurity. I know he's not playing, but I think most players who sign for teams like Man city accept this.

Oh well fingers crossed, but I doubt it.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Not sure we would have the money to buy Milner back tbh.

 The priority must be the defence, and a defensive midfielder.Out of last seasons defenders only Clark and Walker, along with Licjah, for me are worth keeping, the rest either from diminishing ability , or attitude, or wages, should be dispensed with.

 Would love Walker, but unless we offer about £10m, which i would, can't see him coming.Would probably buy the Celtic or Wigan LB, and look for a big strong CH to play alongside Clark.


 Apart from the defence, i really like the look of JJs team.Always liked Benayoun.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Wouldn't mind us being in for this guy either:

Oussama Assaidi (Heerenveen) 9 Goals 12 Assists last year.

Well spotted Beds...he has a touch of Downing about him , but faster, more skilful, incisive, eye for goal....sorry, nothing like Downing then!

[Risso]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

[Ads]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

I think it looks weak in the full back areas, but would stroll into the top 8 with ease.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

I think it looks weak in the full back areas, but would stroll into the top 8 with ease.

Lule Young is a better full back than both the guys on this team sheet.
Love the idea of Milner, NRC and Delph.
N'Zogbia would give us a boost, but I worry about Albrighton...he was brilliant for us when times got tough last season, but looked really jaded at the end. I'd be tempted to bring Gary Gardner in at some point - maybe a gamble so soon , but If he was at Arsenal or Everton he'd probably be playing on a reasonably regular basis. You don't win things with kids, except sometimes! 

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

I think it looks weak in the full back areas, but would stroll into the top 8 with ease.

Lule Young is a better full back than both the guys on this team sheet.
Love the idea of Milner, NRC and Delph.
N'Zogbia would give us a boost, but I worry about Albrighton...he was brilliant for us when times got tough last season, but looked really jaded at the end. I'd be tempted to bring Gary Gardner in at some point - maybe a gamble so soon , but If he was at Arsenal or Everton he'd probably be playing on a reasonably regular basis. You don't win things with kids, except sometimes! 

Sorry guys...fat fingers! LUKE Young!

[Ads]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

I think it looks weak in the full back areas, but would stroll into the top 8 with ease.

Lule Young is a better full back than both the guys on this team sheet.
Love the idea of Milner, NRC and Delph.
N'Zogbia would give us a boost, but I worry about Albrighton...he was brilliant for us when times got tough last season, but looked really jaded at the end. I'd be tempted to bring Gary Gardner in at some point - maybe a gamble so soon , but If he was at Arsenal or Everton he'd probably be playing on a reasonably regular basis. You don't win things with kids, except sometimes! 

I think those as a middle three would be very difficult to play against given they all fall into a box-to-box category.

One thing is for sure, we need to replace Barry and critically, Milner, by hook or crook.

[Monty]

Luke Young's ability at left-back may save us a summer signing, though I'm a bit concerned about his age and injuries. Warnock should still go, never seen a full-back directly responsible for giving away so many chances through bad positioning, going to ground recklessly or both. Although I like Lichaj, I'd feel uncomfortable with him as our only real option at right-back, particularly if we're playing Young at left-back.

For the midfield, we will not re-sign NRC or Milner. NRC didn't leave because we didn't want to keep him, he left because he was demanding hugely disproportionate wages and, while I don't think he'll get them anywhere, there are likely to be clubs willing to offer him more money than us. Milner is just lazy paper talk, it's in the Mirror for god's sake. If he were to leave City he could go to clubs who could offer him more wages and more competitive ambitions. Bannan and Delph in particular really should get substantial chances next season, but they probably won't, and if they do they'll be unfairly exposed in the wrong system as neither has played their best in midfield twos.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Luke Young's ability at left-back may save us a summer signing, though I'm a bit concerned about his age and injuries. Warnock should still go, never seen a full-back directly responsible for giving away so many chances through bad positioning, going to ground recklessly or both. Although I like Lichaj, I'd feel uncomfortable with him as our only real option at right-back, particularly if we're playing Young at left-back.

For the midfield, we will not re-sign NRC or Milner. NRC didn't leave because we didn't want to keep him, he left because he was demanding hugely disproportionate wages and, while I don't think he'll get them anywhere, there are likely to be clubs willing to offer him more money than us. Milner is just lazy paper talk, it's in the Mirror for god's sake. If he were to leave City he could go to clubs who could offer him more wages and more competitive ambitions. Bannan and Delph in particular really should get substantial chances next season, but they probably won't, and if they do they'll be unfairly exposed in the wrong system as neither has played their best in midfield twos.

I reckon you're spot on with NRC and Milner...just talk!
As I've said on this site before, it's no good having great kids if we don't use them, and when we did last season, they did us proud. A little more judicial use of them rather than it being forced upon us through injuries should see them come on more confidently. Bannan and Delph have shown they can do the biz, but lack a bit of consistency. We have lacked a creative midfielder for some time, so that's gotta be a priority. Money will be needed to fill urgent gaps - keeper and at least one defender - so I reckon we'll have to make do and mend! Step forward Stephen "a bit shit" Ireland!

[BedsVillain]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

Does it really?

Agree with others that Luke Young would probably be a better option at either fullback position. For some reason I keep forgetting we still have him! I think AMc could probably get Warnock playing somewhere back to his best.
The middle 3 of NRC,Delph & Milner would be very difficult to play against there is also Makoun who could rotate in the same system keeping things fresh. Sturridge on loan for a season with an option to buy could also be a good addition, could fit into Marc's position in a 4-3-3, as could Gabby.
I could quite easily see that team finishing higher than we did last year!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I could see:

                       Robinson

Lichaj        Collins       Clark      Warnock

                    NRC    Delph

   Albrighton       Milner      N'Zogbia

                          Bent

What a horrible looking team that is.  That has relegation written all over it.

Does it really?

Agree with others that Luke Young would probably be a better option at either fullback position. For some reason I keep forgetting we still have him! I think AMc could probably get Warnock playing somewhere back to his best.
The middle 3 of NRC,Delph & Milner would be very difficult to play against there is also Makoun who could rotate in the same system keeping things fresh. Sturridge on loan for a season with an option to buy could also be a good addition, could fit into Marc's position in a 4-3-3, as could Gabby.
I could quite easily see that team finishing higher than we did last year!

Love your optimism Beds, but in reality we ain't gonna have NRC or Milner....put Stan and Makoun in their places and we will be looking more like an AMc kinda team...hard working and hoping to nick a few points on a good day. Nothing against our new boss - I'm hoping he'll do well - but if the mood on here at the moment is accurate then we ain't gonna have the money to bring anyone of substance in. That's why I think we will almost be forced to use our kids a lot more. We've invested heavily in our Academy and RL probably wants to see a better return!
(After being so ambitious and optimistic at the end of last season the events of the last few weeks are making me more cynical and grumpy and I don't like it!)